iPhone update: now supports multitasking, no additional charges for calling over 3G
We’ve updated our iPhone app – you can now make video calls.
In May, we upgraded our iPhone app to allow users to make calls over 3G data connections. Today, I’m pleased to introduce a brand new version of the app. It allows you to make calls with high quality sound, and supports multitasking. This means you can receive Skype calls while other apps are running, even when your iPhone is locked. And during a call, you can keep the conversation going while you switch to another task, such as checking a movie listing or reading an email. We’ve also updated the app’s graphics to support iPhone 4’s Retina Display.
Download it now for an even better Skype experience on your iPhone (opens in the App Store).
At Skype, we believe that better call quality and better availability (which is achieved with an app capable of multitasking and/or making calls over 3G) lead to increased call frequency and longer calls. We also believe that the mobile world is in a period of significant change, for example, with some operators starting to move to tiered pricing models.
In light of that, we no longer have plans to charge a supplement to make calls over 3G. We’re delighted to make it easier for you to talk for even longer and do even more together using Skype.
Multitasking requires iOS 4 and an iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, or a third-generation iPod touch (32GB and 64GB models from late 2009).
jailbroken people: my stats so far skype 2.01 running in the background with backgrounder, current normal phone usage 1hour 40 minutes, standby 4 hours, 34 minutes BATTERY so far 63% … erm i dont think thats too bad really!
Nice job but it depletes the battery 3 times faster than without multitasking. That’s a show stopper in itself
As one of the people who criticized Skype for the delay of this release, I have to say kudos to Skype for getting it out and for making it as functional as promised. Also a nice goodwill gesture to make 3G calling free!
As far as the complaints in this thread…I saw 300+ complaints about the delay, now we’re heading to 300+ complaints about video and battery? One step at a time people…those concerns will be addressed at some point.
@astroid2228 as the post says, we no longer have plans to charge for calls over 3G
@feraboli @drgreenberg are you sure you’ve downloaded the update?
@sibuckmaster appreciated!
@dfbills the iPhone may quit Skype if it runs out of memory, but in theory you can stay signed in forever
@mbrailer well spotted – should work just fine on the third generation iPod touch
@karlson_oliveira sorry to hear you’re having problems – what sort of Internet connection do you have?
@hoferchr not at the moment, unfortunately
@tato_blato @onastov @maarous @antair the way that iOS works means that it isn’t possible for us to support Bluetooth headsets satisfactorily, unfortunately
@dpgol88 we’re not aware of any problems – does this affect other apps?
@aperley @manathan1984 @jokiin @dansnell @kenkc007 @fred.compton thanks for the feedback – we’re monitoring this
SKYPE:
Are you guys going to comment on the battery issues? Please at least acknowledge the problem and tell us that you are looking into it and will fix in the next update.
When not actively in a call, Skype should be consuming no more resources than an average app with push notifications. In practice, this translates into next to zero impact on battery life, particularly on iPhone 4, when there are no notifications coming in. That was the whole idea behind Apple’s pseudo-multitasking model. The fact that Skype manages to kill the battery in no time while passive – and it’s not even “running in the background” per se when there is no active call! – indicates a serious bug.
Oh – just to clear out a possible hesitation – this has nothing to do with jailbreaking. Both my and my spouse’s phones have never been jailbroken, and I don’t think there is even a way to jailbreak an iPhone 4 as of right now (not sure – I’m just not into that stuff).
@Peter Parkes
Sorry Peter, posted my last message before you posted yours. Appreciate that you guys are looking into this. Looking forward to be able to re-install Skype on my iPhone after this is fixed – had to get rid of it as it sucks life out of my iPhone 4 in half a day after yesterday’s update without even using Skype (lasts 2 days with Skype uninstalled).
works great for me on an iphone 3gs but its killing my battery and ive only been on wifi today, what will happen on 3g……
yesterday i was using the previous version and it was working fine then i updated skype and i won’t connect and i get timeout error, i tried a lot. btw im using iPod 2g through http proxy no credentials. the internet connection works fine with other apps including skype previous version. Now i had downgrade to the previous version and it is working fine !!
does it support proxy ?
The new release works like it should but unfortunately, when running in bg on my 3GS, it kills the battery! Why? I’ve tested other apps like Nimbuzz working in bg and they don’t have such a problem. I’m sure that with an update you can fix this problem, so… at work!!!!
@the.jailbreakers: Skype doesn’t seem to be ‘looking for a jailbreak per se’ .. I think what they’re looking for is things that load into the same memory space as their Skype.app. And they should.
I know this because I also run a /hosts file, and they’re not checking for that. To the Skype team, thank you for not being jerks, like some (jailbreak) devs,*cough* sbsettings guy.
Let me explain, and for Mac users this will become VERY FAMILIAR.
InputManagers like SIMBL or Haxies also do this on your Mac, right? They inject themselves so that you get different UI or functionality. UNFORTUNATELY they also make a LOT OF GRIEF for App Developers. Including Skype. So I don’t blame them, they shouldn’t have to support hacks. And in some cases they destabilize the OS. Read all the horror stories about ‘haxies’ and OS 10.4 to .6 if you don’t believe me.
I pin the blame on MobileSubstrate. Why? Because I de-installed it, like this:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/leoofborg/4818838392/
Ran Skype. It worked fine. Then JUST re-installed Mobile Substrate. Problems again. And then emailed Saurik. Yeah, suuuuuuure, it’s MS+other apps. Nuh-uh, it’s JUST MS.
It could be the case that the jailbreak devs have to redo Mobile Substrate and all their Apps to do Apple’s newer, ‘better’ backgrounding model. Backgrounder & MS were very useful under iOS3.x, but it/they have to be redone to account for really low level changes in iOS4.
Me, I’ve made my choice. I don’t need an unlock, and now probably don’t need 3G Unrestrictor. And now that Skype properly multi-tasks on my iPhone 3GS, I’ve gotten 3x more Skype calls on my iPhone because folks think I’m being more sociable.
Oh, and did I thank the Skype guys for retracting the ‘charge over 3G?’ thing yet? From the semi-retired kinda on a budget geek contingent: THANK YOU!
-Leo
Umm… I’m begining to see why Apple encourages developers to use their notification system/push system rather than this multitasking that they’ve been pushed into.
Didn’t anyone at Skype do any testing? When I take my iPhone 3GS off the charger, and just have it in standby, after 6 hours, I’m normally only down to 70%-80%. Today, with Skype running, but the phone not used at all during the day, after 6 hours, I was down to 20%. Come on guys, this is unusable. If that’s how it’s gonna be, I’ll switch to some other product.
and when will be SKYPE on iphone supports bluetooth headset ?
>> that will be make phone calls much more comfortable !
Yes, this upgrade is causing the battery to drain at a horrific rate … Mine is a 3GS with iOS 4 installed but the drain seems to be worse for iphone 4. It is surprising that such a major issue was not detected prior to rolling out this update that everybody was waiting for. Hopefully a fix will be available soon!
Well, I guess the only thing left is video calls.
@smvanbru Apple hasn’t been pushed into multitasking, you got it all wrong. What they did instead is created a system that works on the same principles as push notifications, and called it “multitasking” to calm down the buzz. iPhone does not do “multitasking” for 3rd party apps, it the sense you would understand multitasking on other mobile platforms and on the desktop. iOS 4 simply adds 6 more system-wide background services to the existing push notifications service, with the sole intention of not hurting the battery life. All truly iOS 4 – ready apps use at least one of these services – Fast App Switching – and many use more. The idea is, no matter how many of these services an app is using, and no matter how many apps are using them at the same time, the battery life is virtually not affected at all. And this truly is the case – I have Beejive IM using Push and Fast Switching, Cyclometer using Background Location, Pandora using Background Audio, and a bunch of others using Fast App Switching alone (not counting Mail using Push on Exchange Account), and my iPhone 4 still has above 20% left by the time I go to bed. This is how it is supposed to be – by design.
Now, Skype is supposed to be using 3 services: Fast Switching, Push Notifications (for text IM’s) and Background VoIP. In theory, as long as you are not running an actual VoIP call, this Background VoIP service is supposed to eat no more battery than Push Notifications service. This makes sense – all the Background VoIP service does when you are not in a call is listening for network messages – not much different from the Push Notifications service. So, in theory, when the Skype app is just “sitting in the background” (in reality, only Push Notifications and Background VoIP services are listening for messages from Skype’s servers), the battery drain is supposed to be pretty much the same as without Skype. In reality, though, I took my phone off the charger today, and it lost 15% of charge in 3 hours, without me even toughing the phone!!! Before this Skype update, my iPhone 4 would have lost 1% in such circumstances, maybe 2% if it was getting too many push notifications from other apps.
So this is not Skype doing something that Apple doesn’t recommend. They actually ARE using Apple’s (quote) “notification system/push system” (unquote), but there appears to be a bug that causes extensive battery drain. Here’s hope that Skype fixes this faster than it took them to release this version.
I posted a suggestion earlier about badging the Skype icon on incoming messages, etc… Is this functionality already there? I just had a badge on my Skype for the first time since I updated but it rarely ever shows up upon an incoming notfiication. Another possible bug to look at?
With this update Skype has renewed my confidence that it is not greedy. I was very upset at the decision to start to charge for 3G Skype to Skype calls. Now that that decision has been reversed, I have re-installed the skype app on my iPhone. Awesome!!
@aperley I think the problem is the VOIP background service. Skype is the first app to actually use it so it’s the first app that people will notice an issue with battery life.
I’m not a iPhone developer so I don’t know how the background VOIP service is designed to work, but there’s basically two ways it could work with respect to receiving an incoming call:
1. One an incoming call could come in as a push notification which would trigger the VOIP to connect to the appropriate VOIP server so the call can be accepted. This would be similar to how a push mail notification actually triggers a fetch by the phone. This method would not use any battery when not receiving or on a call since push notifications piggy-back over the cell network similar to SMS messages. It could cause incoming calls to be delayed or lost though.
2. The VOIP service could maintain a constant active TCP/IP connection to the all registered VOIP servers so that an incoming call notification could be sent directly from the server to the VOIP service on the phone and by proxy to the app. This would be more reliable, but because the connection needs to be maintained it could drain the battery even when not receiving incoming calls depending on how often any “keep alive” messages are sent.
My guess is that option #2 is being used and it should be easy to confirm this using a packet sniffer or router logs when on Wi-Fi.
I have noticed a slight, but significant (maybe 10 to 20% over normal) drop in battery life since installing and running the Skype app yesterday on my 3GS and I never made or received any calls with it which brings me to another observation.
Virtually all (non-Apple) multitasking (fast switching) apps will stay in memory until the phone runs low on memory. When that happens apps are removed from memory (terminated) on what appears to be a first in, first out method (for the most part). The Skype app appears to be the exception to the rule. While it can be automatically terminated if memory is low, I noticed that it re-ran itself similar to how the built-in Mail and Phone apps re-run when terminated. As such, once launched it appears to literally “run” forever until either the phone is rebooted or I manually terminate the Skype app from the task tray. They way I could tell this was by using a task listing app and checking the process id number. It should be constant, but it grew when running lots of other apps.
So if you noticed poor battery life after installing and running the Skype app, try killing it from the task tray and see if your battery life goes back to normal.
This update would be fabulous and a game changer. However, with the massive battery drain, I have to stop the app manually after every usage. Not exactly how it was intended to be, I gather. For the record, I have an unbroken 3GS with 32GB.
@morac74 Good thoughts regarding the way Background VoIP service operates. I personally tend to think it’s the first option, judging simply by the way the incoming VoIP call notification looks – pretty mush indistinguishable from a text push notification. Also, once you “Accept” the call, the actual VoIP app needs to run in order to actually accept it. I.e., the call cannot be accepted in the background without the app running (which option #2 would sort of imply), you are only notified of an incoming call request. But this is just my speculations – hopefully some developer here will shed some light as to how it actually works.
After manually killing Skype from the task tray, the battery life definitively does go back to normal. I obviously didn’t have a chance to do full-day tests, but Skype drains the battery so fast it’s easy to spot the (huge) difference in a few hours.
I just checked the Apple development documentation and it is #2. The VOIP service maintains a constant connection to Skype’s servers. As for how often the “keep alive” messages are sent, that’s something the app programmer decides. If Skype is setting the “keep alive” frequency too high (sent very often), that would cause battery life to suffer, especially when using 3G.
@morac74 Thanks for doing the research. If that is the case, I would like an option to disable background VoIP (or decrease the “keep alive” frequency) while keeping push notifications for text. Hope Skype implements this in the next update.
Hey guys, thanks for the update. I think it’s really great for you to get something out there, and then built on it. Much better for PR.
A few issues. I have not seen anyone mention this, and I am assuming it is because they do not use Skype for large IM conversations. We use Skype in several group chats for our company, along with individual chats with many people. This presents a problem with the new update for several reasons. All of which I assume you can fix quite easily.
1. There is no way to turn off notification of new IM messages. This would be best implemented as it is in the desktop client; notification options per chat, and a global option. However, just the global option would be a good stopgap. (This is bad enough that with active group chats your phone is almost unusable due to the constant notification popups)
2. The ability to limit the IM backlog buffer. It is far too large. Even on wifi, 2.1.0 crashed four times just trying to pull our two main discussion groups. It also causes responsiveness of the app to slow to a crawl while updating. (I know several people who do not use the app because of this alone; its far worse over 3G)
I hope that this usability feedback is helpful.
Thanks again for the update.
list of known issues here http://skypejournal.com/blog/2010/07/21/download-skype-for-iphone-2-0-1/
@Peter : There is no effect on any other application. It’s just that this new version of Skype seems to have issues with proxy settings while other apps work the way they used to. The proxy i use does not require any authentication either.
My nokia can do this for a long time..
I have insofar been unsuccessful in staying online when putting the app into the background.
Cannot receive calls on my 3GS. Skype stays open and connected, but sends all calls straight to voicemail instead of ringing or pushing to the phone.
Please fix this Skype!!!!!
What is it about Skype support?
If I can not put your problems for you, which I can not because myself and other friends and acquaintances pred use newer versions about Skype 4.1.0.179? And Skype download and install the new version, without asking, by default.
I using Windows 7, the newest Skype version, pressing the upper, right side of the cross, I have skype will remain on the windowsills, not as a version of Skype 4.1.0.179 – skype icon go only down next to the clock.
Nowhere does not support Skype or e-mail (which can graphically show your problem).
Hooray!
atlast the waiting game is over!
i can talk to my mum overseas cheap NOW!
with iPhone btw
we need a android app
Excellent!!! “In light of that, we no longer have plans to charge a supplement to make calls over 3G”
So when is Android’s Version of Skype coming?? Please do not lock to one carrier when there are alot more in the world. And that’s one crazy move which going to cause damage to the Skype’s reputation!!!
Excelent Guys!!!. This is a good experience on my iPhone. Great. Keep it up!
There are a few kinks to be worked out, for instance, switching to a text chat in landscape mode (everything becomes lower than usual, as a result, you need to exit the chat and return to actually type in the input box)
Bluetooth support is absolutely required, and an iPad UI would be a major plus. That all aside, it’s a pretty good update, very few complaints here!
OUTSTANDING!! I have SkypeIn and Out, and am psyched that I’ll be able to use that phone # more often.. Any word on when the iPhone 4′s camera will be supported for Skype video chat?
Hey
Great update that finally made Skype actually extremely usefull on the Iphone. It went from not really usefull at all to a killer app with this, thx for that.
BUT one big mystery to me why no landscape text input ?? I wonder if you have tried inputting text on a Iphone in real life yourself ? It is a serious flaw that you dont allow this, and its very difficult to see why you would not implement this.
I hope this is looked upon and corrected soon.
Kind regards
Jakob
@jaggedreng — Not sure what’s going on for you but when I rotate my phone the chat window in Skype also rotates with it (along with the keyboard). Landscape typing works fine.
I am using ipod touch 8GB 3G. Is push notification supported? How do I activate it? I just couldn’t seem to find it…
I mean push notification for skype. Just to be clear…
Sorry for Skype, but i’ll be using their service thru Nimbuzz, since they decided to block multitasking for jailbroken 3g iPhones.
I’ve read the article also here on this blog, stating Skype dont have to support jailbroken devices, but they also do not have to block them. I’m really getting the feeling this aint a bug.
C’mon people, wake up: do you really think Skype has something to do with jailbreak? LOL
I have a jailbroken 3GS (iOS 4.0) with the “no multitasking” problem. I just restore it (using pwnage tools) and skype is working fine now. It’s just a bug!
Just wondering if not telling if android is next might be due to a marketing strategy?
skype haven’t say yes but haven’t say no… yet.
but i’ll keep my fingers cross
Thanks guys for the update, it works really well. Patience is a virtue!
I found that initially the app didn’t work and even when I was connected to wifi I wouldn’t receive notifications when the app was in the background. I deleted the app completely and reinstalled it, and now it works really well.
Awesome now that Skype is iOS4 compatible, but what about video calling on iPhone. I mean, iPhone 4 can do it with FaceTime and fring could do video calls aswell with Skype… until you blocked it.
Since you killed fring, why not release an android app?? Killing fring without an alternative and leaving all us android users in the dark is killing your brand name. This would be an excellent time for a competitor….say google, to steal most of your market share.
I got iPhone 3G & it’s jailbroken, Skype doesn’t work properly, when I switch to another app it goes offline & sign in again I don’t receive any push notification either on Nimbuzz, I’m sure all other apps just works very well except these two Skype apps I jst deleted & re-install it even though it’s still same. Please help me
For those complaining the multitasking doesn’t work, it is because of MobileSubstrate (Jailbroken users). In order for those that are jailbroken to take advantage of the multitasking, you must go into Cydia and remove it. Yes, this means no Winterboard and no SBSettings as well as many other features that run off MobileSubstrate. In general, it has nothing to do with being jailbroken or with the Skype application in general.
@Peter : I have confirmed the proxy issue. If I use skype on a wifi network where I don’t need proxy it works fine and whenever I use it on the network requiring proxy(which is what is normally available to me) it doesn’t. Don’t you think that it should have been officially mentioned that the new update won’t support proxy?
This was obviously a long awaited update, but it still needs improvement…
I am a big fan of Skype. It’s functionality has become very useful in my daily life and I was very glad I found it so I could keep into contact with all of my friends online so I don’t spend countless hours on my cell phone.
I have had Skype for approximately 6 years now and am a paying customer with both a SkypeIn and SkypeOut subscription and an unlimited US and Canada landline and mobile plan FOR ONLY $3.00 a MONTH! When this update came out, I was really upset for the long wait, but it clearly gave me (most) of everything I was longing for: IM and call notifications when the app is not open, which makes the usefulness of this app really what it was meant to be for a mobile environment. That being said, there are some DIRE IMPORTANT issues here to address about this update:
1) Battery Life: I too have fell victim to the insane battery drainage as a result of multitasking with this app, but it is not entirely Skype’s fault. I have an application called System Activity Monitor which I have bought from the app store for only $2.99. I have run some tests with my home phone and my iPhone to see what clearly causes this issue. PLEASE NOTE that the battery drainage does NOT occur all of the time. From my own tests, it seems that it is a bug that occurs between Skype and ios 4. I do not know what exactly causes the issue, but I can tell you that I have had many successful calls and chat messages on Skype without having Skype draining the battery. To those who are not aware, the reason why the iPhone gets hot is because Skype hogs 70% of the CPU and is registered as a system process, NOT a user process when this bug occurs in the background. When I quit Skype, the problem is fixed. This issue needs to be fixed before any new implementation can be installed into the app.
2) No Bluetooth Support: This can be a major pain for people who like to talk to their Skype contacts while they are on the go, especially while driving. A minor workaround for this issue would only apply to people who have Skype forwarding. If someone calls you on Skype, let the forwarding service send it to your phone, then you can implement your Bluetooth functionality. What sucks about that is it can only be done if you are a subscriber, and if you RECEIVE a call. There is no full support, even while the app is open to call someone with Bluetooth. With my minor workaround, it does not bother me that much, but I hope that piece of advise may help. If background voip can not really support Bluetooth, I hope Skype will learn to communicate better with their customers to let them know exactly why it cannot be implemented.
3) No Video Chat: Skype is not only known for it’s free skype-to-skype calls between multiple platforms, but it also gained fame thanks to it’s free video calling. With the release of the iPhone 4, countless apps have been trying to utilize the front-facing camera to their best potential. By not supporting video, other apps (like Fring) will try to beat you to the race. I know it will take a while to implement correctly, but please be aware it is a much requested feature.
4) No Conference support: While it still is possible to talk within a conference, you cannot start it yourself through the iPhone app, you must ask other contacts within the call to add more recipients themselves.
5) No Notification Management: This can kind of get annoying when I am in a group and my phone gets flooded with ims. Although not as a big deal as the other issues, I would like to see an intelligent notification service like the one Trillian from Cerulean Studios uses. It seems to me that you guys at Skype are utilizing the tentpole of Local Notifications rather than Push Notifications that was explained in the ios 4 keynote with the Skype demo a few months back.
As I was writing this review I started with Skype already in the background, which has been for the past hour. By the time I finished writing number 4, my iPhone started to get hot and the Skype CPU hog issue started again. This helps confirm my theory that it is only a bug, not the real functionality of the app.
The verdict? I will give this app 3 stars. Although there may have been some things I missed in my review, and some things I praised, I must honestly say that the negative just barely outweighs the positive in this update. It may be able to do most of what I want it to do, but what is the use if my phone is going to die to quickly. I just got a brand new iPhone 4 and the battery has been treating me wonderfully until this update. When the bug occurs, it feels like my old 3GS, and I don’t like that.
My e-mail is shobuprime@gmail.com and you may reach me on Facebook by looking me up on http://www.facebook.com/shobuprime if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
ShobuPrime
Paying Skype Customer
Sent from my iPhone